Traction-increaser for locomotives



(No Model.)

G; P. MERRILL. TRAGTiON INGREASER FOR LOCOMOTIVES. NO. 316,380. PatentedApr 21, 1885.

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. NiTE STATES GEORGE P. MERRILL, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

TRACTION-INCREASER' FOR LOCOMOTIVES.

JIECIIICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 316,380, dated April21, 1885.

' Application filed February 11, 18 85. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE P. MERRILL, a citizen ofthe United States,residing at Toledo, Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements inTraction-Increasers, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inlocomotive-engines.

The invention relates more particularly to that class of devices knownas traction -increasers. The devices of this kind as here-' toforeconstructed are imperfect and unsatisfactory for many reasons, somerequiring a special construction of the parts of the engine and tenderwith which they come in contact; some are very cumbersome andunnecessarily expensive, and others are so constructed as to exert anuneven strain upon those parts of the engine to which they are attached.

The object of my invention is to produce a device which shall be capableof being operated to increase the traction of the drivewheels of alocomotive by transferring a portion of the weight of the tender theretowithout exerting an unequal and consequently injurious strain upon theparts to which it is connected, and which shall be capable of beingattached to any of the common forms of locomotives without making anychanges in their construction.

With these objects in view my invention consists of a rigid frame of aconstruction adapting it to be attached to an ordinary cab and extendrearward beneath the tender a short distance, and carrying a lever atits rear end bearing against the under side of the tender, and acylinder upon said frame adapted to operate the said lever to transfer aportion of the weight of the tender to the rigid projection, andtherefore upon the drive-wheels, whereby their traction is increased,all these parts being of the construction substantially as hereinafterfully set forth.

In order that those skilled in the art to which my invention relates mayknow how to make and use my invention, I will now proceed to describethe same in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure lis a side elevation of a locomotive with my improved traction-increaserin operative position. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the operative parts ofthe device, and Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the same.

- In the drawings, A and B represent, respectively, the cab of anordinary locomotive and the tender. p v

- The mechanism by which theshifting a part of the weight of the tenderto the drive-wheels is accomplished is carried upon a frame consistingof the parallel bars 0 O and the crosspieces M M and E. The bars 0 O areof a length to extend from a point a short distance in rear of the axleof the rear pair of drivewheels a short distance beneath the tender.

M M are two cross-pieces, the functions of which are to secure the bars0 O firmly together and also form a convenient means for securing theframe in position. To this latter end they project upward from the bars,and have their ends perforated for the passage of bolts, by which theyare held in position.

At the rear end of the bars 0 O is mounted lever G, by which the tenderis elevated. The lever is provided at its upper end with a roller whichserves to lessen the friction caused by the rubbing against the bottomof the tender, and the tender is provided at this point with a block orplate, F, to take up the wear. The preferred means of operating thelever is by means of a cylinder, J, whose piston-rod is connected to thelower end of the lever G.

Steam is admitted to the cylinder through a pipe which connects it withthe boiler of the locomotive, and this pipe passes through the cab,where it has a stop-cock placed at a convenient point to be manipulatedby the engineer.

In the operation of the device the cock in the steam-pipe is opened,thus allowing the passage of the steam into the cylinder, the piston ofwhich is thereby forced forward, and this movement is communicated tothe lever through the medium of the piston-rod, and the lever operatedto raise the tender and transfer a portion of its weight to theprojection from the cab.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that my improved tractionincreaser-is so constructed that it may be attached and detached from anengine with case; that no particular form of engine is required for itsreception,

across-piece, E, which forms afulcrum for the K and secured in place,the said frame extending from a point in rear of the axle of the rearpair of drive-wheels a short distance to a position in advance of theaxle of the forward wheels of the tender, the lever pivoted to theframe, and the operatingcylinder, substantially as described.

2. As a means for increasing the traction of the drive-wheels of alocomotive-engine, the rigid detachable frame situated beneath the cabin rear of the axle of the rear pair of drivewheels and extending ashort distance beneath the tender, in combination with the tenderprovided with the block E, the lever G, and the operating-cylinder.

3. As a means of increasing the traction of the drive-wheels of alocomotive, the rigid detachable frame consisting of the parallel railshaving the cross-pieces M, whose ends extend upward for attachment tothe bottom of the cab, the said frame extending from a point in rear ofthe axle of the rear pair of drive-wheels to a point in advance of theaxle of the forward pair of wheels of the tender, the operating-cylinderconnected with the boiler by a pipe, as described, and the lever, allsubstantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

GEO. P. MERRILL. Witnesses:

L. G. RICHARDSON, R. FARMER.

